2026 Writers Guild Awards: Complete List of Winners
The 2026 Writers Guild Awards (WGA Awards) recently took place in New York City, marking the ceremony’s 78th edition. The event celebrated outstanding achievements in writing across various media formats. Below are the key highlights from the awards ceremony.
Major Winners at the 2026 Writers Guild Awards
Paul Thomas Anderson’s film, One Battle After Another, won the Adapted Screenplay award. This thriller features well-known actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, and it is also nominated for an Oscar in the same category.
In the Documentary Screenplay category, Mstyslav Chernov took home the award for 2,000 Meters to Andriivka. This work chronicles a Ukrainian platoon striving to liberate their town from occupying Russian forces in 2023. Additionally, Chernov was awarded the Paul Selvin Award for his contributions to storytelling.
The Pitt, an HBO production, won accolades for Episodic Drama and New Series, marking a strong showing for the network.
Additional Notable Wins
- Episodic Comedy: The Righteous Gemstones
- Limited Series: Dying for Sex
- Daytime Drama: The Young and the Restless
- Comedy/Variety Special: Marc Maron: Panicked
This year presented a unique challenge as the guild’s West Coast ceremony was canceled due to an ongoing strike by WGA West staff against management. Contract discussions with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are slated to start on March 16.
Eligible Screenplays and Non-Eligible Works
Several high-profile scripts were ineligible for WGA Awards due to strict eligibility criteria. These included Oscar nominees for Best International Feature Film such as:
- Sentimental Value
- It Was Just an Accident
- The Secret Agent
- Sirāt
Complete List of Winners at the 2026 WGA Awards
| Category | Winner | Written By |
|---|---|---|
| Documentary Script – Other than Current Events | Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP | Rob Rapley |
| Animation | Shira Can’t Cook | Mehar Sethi |
| Radio/Audio News Script – Regularly Scheduled | ABC News Radio Top of the Hour News | Robert Hawley |
| Documentary Script – Current Events | Trump’s Power & the Rule of Law | Michael Kirk & Mike Wiser |
| Quiz and Audience Participation | Celebrity Jeopardy! | Robert Patton and Team |
| TV & Streaming Motion Pictures | Deep Cover | Derek Connolly & Colin Trevorrow |
The 2026 WGA Awards showcased the incredible creativity and dedication of writers across various genres. As the industry prepares for future challenges, the recognition of talent and storytelling remains paramount.
